Pillow with internal adjustable neck support

ABSTRACT

A pillow providing a neck support and a head support, in a single complete pillow casing of rectangular shape having first and second transverse seams, and a neck support pocket formed by integral portions of pillow casing, located internally between the first and second seams, a head support pocket contained completely within the pillow casing, separate end closure for the neck support pocket, a first organic material contained within the neck pocket, a second organic material contained within the head support pocket wherein the second material is less dense and the first material is more dense, so as to provide a head cushion area for the head of the user and a neck support area for the user, all being contained within the same pillow casing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a pillow for the head and neck, and in particular to a pillow which is made entirely of organic substances, and which incorporates a support for the neck which is adjustable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that the size, shape and consistency of a pillow contribute to a good nights sleep. It is also becoming known that pillows made of synthetic materials may in fact be undesirable for various reasons. It is also known that pillows of certain manmade materials, may provide an attractive home for bed mites. Bed mites, as is well known, can impair the health of the sleeper, particularly if they are located in the pillow with the sleeper's head resting on the pillow.

In addition to all this, it is becoming known that the usual form of pillow is not the best support for a good night's sleep. While the head is relatively heavy and large, the neck is less massive and considerably smaller. However the conventional pillow tends to support only the head and places the neck at an angle. This can produce stiffness, and conceivably cause long term damage to the spine. For these reasons various attempts have been made in the past to provide pillows with a firm neck support, and a softer head support. In these various pillows the neck support area is more firm than the head support area. In this way it is hoped that a person resting on that pillow will be able to lie with the spine and the neck in a proper position and avoid the possible harmful results.

The use of a head support, and a neck support, which are separate from one another, is more likely to provide proper comfort for an entire nights sleep.

However, while these various proposals in the past have gone some way to dealing with these problems of the position of the body and the neck, it is clear that the human body requires support which is as far as possible, customized to that particular person. Clearly a person with wider shoulders will require greater support for the neck and a person with more narrow shoulders, less. A person with a larger head will require somewhat different support for the head than a person with a smaller head.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a view to achieving these various different and conflicting objectives, the invention provides a pillow providing a neck support and a head support, both being internal in a single complete pillow casing of rectangular shape having first and second transverse seams spaced apart and an intermediate seam, a head cushion compartment between the first and intermediate seams, an internal neck support compartment formed by integral portions of the pillow casing located between the second seam and the intermediate seam contained completely within the pillow casing, a closure seam for the head cushion compartment, a separate neck closure for the neck support compartment, a cushion component contained within the head cushion compartment and a neck component contained within the neck support compartment, wherein the neck component is more dense and wherein the cushion component is less dense, whereby to provide a head cushion area for the head of the user and a neck support area for the user, all being contained within the same pillow casing.

A further feature of the invention is the ability to provide two different forms of filling materials, a softer one for the head and a firmer one for the neck, in two separate compartments all within a single pillow casing.

Preferably the invention provides a closure for the neck compartment while the head compartment is sealed, thereby enabling a user to vary the contents of the neck compartment to suit his or her comfort in terms of the neck support.

Preferably the pillow is made from a single panel of cloth material, in which the panel is first of all folded double to make a large casing, and the small tubular neck compartment is then formed at one end after which the casing is then turned inside out, and completed, thereby bringing the neck compartment inside the casing and the head compartment.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration partly cut away, of a pillow illustrating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pillow casing during manufacture, showing the seams, and the closure; and,

FIG. 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

With a view to achieving these various different and conflicting objectives, the invention provides a pillow (10) providing a neck support (12) and a head support (14), in a single complete pillow casing (16), of rectangular shape

The neck support and the head support in this embodiment are formed together of a single panel (

) of fabric such as cotton or bamboo fabric, or the like. The panel (

) has a rectangular outline (FIG. 3).

The panel is folded along one side at (

). The panel is then sewn along a first end (

), and a second end (

), to form a casing closed at one side by the fold (

) and at both ends by the lines (

) and (

).

An intermediate seam (

) is sewn along line (

) intermediate the two ends. This will then separate the head pocket portion (

) from the neck pocket portion (

).

The casing is then turned inside out. This will bring the neck portion (

) inside the casing (FIG. 1).

Any suitable neck pocket closure (

) is attached along the open end of the neck portion (

). The closure may be a zipper, slide fastener or hook and pile fasteners or the like. The head pocket is filled and sewn at (

). Around the closure (

), the head pocket is sewn to the opposite sides of the closure at (

).

It will be seen that the neck pocket closure is accessible without opening the had pocket (

), which remains sealed.

The pillow thus provides the appearance of a single conventional pillow. The neck pocket is concealed within the casing.

In use, the head pocket is first stuffed with a head material (

) Usually this material will be somewhat softer such as down or feathers. The head pocket is then sew closed as described above.

The neck pocket (

) is then stuffed with a quantity of a neck material (

). The quantity of material can be adjusted to suit the neck and comfort of the user via the zipper, and sleep habits of the user. Usually this neck material will be somewhat firm such as spelt or buckwheat hulls.

When placed on the bed, the pillow appears to be a conventional pillow, However when the user lies down the difference in support between the neck pocket, which is positioned under the neck of the user, and the head portion which supports the head will become apparent. The user can adjust the comfort level of the neck support by simply varying the amount of stuffing material. This can be achieved by the user of the pillow. Typically when selling the pillow the retailer will supply bags of appropriate stuffing material so that the user may add more or remove some as the case may be.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A pillow providing a neck support and a head support, in a single complete pillow casing of rectangular shape and comprising: a single panel of casing fabric, folded on itself, to form overlying upper and lower panel portions; first and second transverse seams joining respective edges of said panel portions and an intermediate seam joining said panel portions parallel to said first and second seams; a head support pocket defined completely within one of said first and second seams and said intermediate seam of said upper and lower panel portions of said pillow casing; a neck support pocket formed by integral portions of said single panel of casing fabric, located internally between the other of said first and second seams and said intermediate seam within said head support pocket; a releasable end closure defining two sides sewn to one end of said neck support pocket; said upper panel portion of said head pocket being sewn to a first side of said releasable end closure of said neck pocket; said lower panel portion of said head pocket being sewn to a second side of said releasable end closure; whereby opening of said releasable end closure gives access to said neck pocket, without opening said head pocket; the remainder of said head pocket, upper and lower panel portions, being sewn directly to each other. a first stuffing material contained within said neck support pocket; a second stuffing material contained within said head support pocket, wherein said second material is less dense and wherein said first material is more dense, whereby to provide a head cushion area for the head of the user and a neck support area defined by said neck support pocket located along one transverse edge of said pillow casing for the neck of the user, all being contained within the same said pillow casing. 2-4. (canceled)
 5. A pillow providing a neck support and a head support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the neck support pocket is connected to said head pocket along said intermediate seam.
 6. (canceled)
 7. A pillow providing a neck support and a head support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said neck pocket extends the full width of the head pocket.
 8. A pillow providing a neck support and a head support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said neck pocket is partially enveloped by said second stuffing material in said head pocket.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled) 